speaker, as our economy continues to struggle, the president's former budget director, peter orszag, stated that, and i quote, higher taxes now would crimp consumer spending further depressing the already inadequate demand for what firms are capable of producing full tilt, end quote. in non-washington, d.c., language, that translates to the more money that government takes from the american people the less they have to spend and to help rebuild our economy. my republican colleagues and i have been saying this for nearly two years. now, over 30 of my democrat colleagues have joined us in supporting an extension of all the tax cuts across the board. they get it. it makes no sense, no sense to raise taxes, especially at this time when businesses and individuals are trying to invest what little they have to make a better future and get our economy going. mr. speaker, let the american people keep their money. i urge house leadership to extend the 2001, 2003 tax cuts. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlelady from new york rise? >> to address the house for